Toto’s First New Album in 10 Years Given Release Date

Posted on January 8, 2015

First New Studio Album in Ten Years Out In Europe 3/20,The UK and Oceania on 3/23, and North America on 3/24

Frontiers Music Srl has announced a March 20 release date for TOTO XIV in Europe, with The UK and Oceania on 3/23, and North America on March 24. The album will hit retail globally, with specific dates for territories in Asia, South America and others to follow. Configurations include CD, with a deluxe edition available featuring a “making of” documentary on DVD, expanded booklet that includes an in depth story and interview about the new album alongside exclusive pictures in ecol-book packaging. Additionally Toto XIV will be available as a 2LP vinyl set, and a Super Deluxe limited edition which includes the Deluxe CD/DVD edition, 2LP vinyl, an exclusive poster, t-shirt (large size only), and lithograph. The album will be available via all digital retailers.

The new album is a realized vision three plus decades in the making exhibiting world-class musicianship, masterful arrangements, topical lyrical commentary, and melodies that the collective genius of Lukather, Paich, Porcaro, Williams and their assembled band-mates bring to life. TOTO XIV is the bands first album of new material since 2006s Falling In Between. However, the band personally considers the new album to be the true follow-up to TOTO IV, which made the band global superstars.

Keyboardist Steve Porcaro reveals, “This is opposite of going through the motions. We are treating this like it is Toto V, our follow-up to TOTO IV. We just want to be the best version of ourselves that we can be. Be true to ourselves and make the best music we can. Entertain people which is what we were put on this Earth for.” Keyboardist David Paich reflects, “I think of TOTO as a unit and a band that carries a responsibility when it goes out there in to the public consciousness. There is so much negativity and darkness that I think you have to be as Quincy Jones puts it, beams of light that blast through the darkness.”

As they began the process of a return the studio, all of the principle long-term members brought their A-game to the table. Guitarist Steve “Luke” Lukather offers, “When you put us in a room, and everybody brings in their pieces, the next thing you know it all fits together. Everybodys performances are top notch. We are really bringing our best out, forcing ourselves to make personal best choices, whats best for the music. Im really excited to hear what people think.” Singer Joseph Williams adds, “We are talking about a band where everybody is a writer, and everybody is a lead singer, and everybody is a player. All involved brought this trio to the table where it could just live on its own.”

Founding bassist David Hungate returns to the fold, about whom Luke simply offers, “No one plays like David Hungate.” Drums were performed by Keith Carlock whos commitments to Steely Dan prohibit him from participating in the 2015 World Tour. Shannon Forest will be behind the kit, who was a part of the bands 2014 North American run. Luke offers, “Shannon is a world class drummer and we are honored to have him back with us.”

The sessions were co-produced by CJ Vanston, who Paich looks upon as, “everything a producer is supposed to be and more – a musicians producer.” Vanston states, “There have never been better musicians on the planet, especially in a band together. This is an amazing record and I am completely thrilled to be a part of it. This is a dream job for me.” Porcaro offers an additional thought stating, “I think the band is hit upon a very healthy creative tension for this project. Im very excited about it.” For Williams he reflects, “Just imagine being able to stand on stage in front of enormous crowd of people, and you are playing great music with the best musicians in the world, and you look around, and they are some of your best friends in the world. Its the best feeling any person could have.” For Porcaro he shares, “It is kind of hard to find words of what it means to have a smile on your face to go to work every day and we have the fans to thank for that – so thank you.”

WORLD TOUR UPDATE

The band will hit the ground running with an extensive European headline arena tour with appearances at key festivals. The itinerary begins in Glasgow on May 21, and takes Toto through the UK, France, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Poland, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Serbia, Italy, and Belgium. Ticket sales came out of the box with strength, with some appearances selling out within days of on-sale. A North American tour will follow in the summer of 2015. The band is also in the planning stages for their return to Asia later this year.

The last couple of years have been active, with a seven show sold-out tour of Asia that took them through Nagoya, Osaka, Tokyo, Sendai and Sapporo in April, 2014. Also that month, the 35th Anniversary Tour – Live In Poland title was released, debuting at #1 in territories across the globe. Last August and September, the band hit the road travelling across North America as co-headliners with Michael McDonald, which when it was all said and done was their most comprehensive tour on the continent in years.

Historically, few ensembles in the history of recorded music have individually or collectively had a larger imprint on pop culture than the members of TOTO. As individuals, the band members imprint can be heard on an astonishing 5000 albums that together amass a sales history of a HALF A BILLION albums. Amongst these recordings, NARAS applauded the performances with 225 Grammy nominations. TOTO sold 35 million albums, and today continue to be a worldwide arena draw staging standing room only events across the globe. They are pop culture, and are one of the few 70s bands that have endured the changing trends and styles, and 35 plus years in to a career enjoy a multi-generational fan base. It is not an exaggeration to estimate that 95% of the worlds population has heard a performance by a member of TOTO.

Toto also continues to raise awareness for ALS, for their brother and friend, Mike Porcaro, who has been diagnosed with ALS, Lou Gehrigs Disease. The band commits energies towards fundraising for Police and Fire Departments of California and the Fallen Heroes initiative, and help the United Nations in their humanitarian endeavors through music.